Arsenal star Shkodran Mustafi closing in on season-long loan move to Italian giants Inter Milan with view to permanent deal
The German defender only joined the Gunners last summer for £35m, but he has struggled to settle in England
ARSENAL star Shkodran Mustafi is closing in on a season-long loan switch to Italian giants Inter Milan.
The German defender only joined the Gunners last summer for £35m, but he has struggled to settle in England.
The 25-year-old was dropped to the bench on Sunday as Arsene Wenger's men were humiliated 4-0 by Liverpool.
He has already agreed personal terms with Inter over a deal which will keep him there for the remainder of this campaign.
And Arsenal want to add a clause to the move which means the Italians have to buy the ex-Everton centre-back next summer.
Wenger wants to recoup the majority of the £35m fee he paid Valencia for the World Cup winner.
The Gunners are also negotiating to land a small loan fee for him, which will be added to their transfer funds.
Inter are also set to pay all of his wages, thought to be around the £90,000-a-week mark.
But Arsenal could yet sell Mustafi this summer, if Inter stump up the cash and pay a fee between £25m and £30m.
Wenger has not been convinced since he joined the North London side, where he has made 26 appearances.
The Gunners boss has already sold one centre-back this summer, flogging Gabriel Paulista to Valencia for £10m.
Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to join Premier League rivals Chelsea after a £35m fee was agreed.
Alexis Sanchez is set to leave, wanting to quit in search of a club who will compete for titles and the Champions League.
And Mesut Ozil has still not signed a fresh contract, even though a deal has been on the table for months after showdown talks.